Students at the LAB Middle School for Collaborative Education collaborated with the Breaking Walls In-School Arts Education program. Their experience focused on developing their creative writing, improvisation, and public speaking skills, as well as their self-confidence.
Their wonderful teachers asked them to reflect on the experience, using the following criteria.
Guiding Questions:
1. What did you learn about performing or speaking in front of an audience?
2. What’s one thing your group did well during the mock trial?
3. What did you learn about yourself while working in a group? What was easy for you? What was challenging?
“I learned that when speaking in front of an audience you don’t have to be serious and strict; instead, you can be silly and funny.” (Oscar)
“I thought it was really fun to do the mock trial. There were so many elements I found really cool and funny. This whole experience made me realize my place in a group. I’m the person who tries to take charge, but also I’m open to others. I’m glad I did this with Breaking Walls. Our group did really good.” (Lilya)
“Breaking Walls made the project very fun and amazing. I just wish we had even more time with them.” (Sofia)
“I learned that I do get a little bit nervous when I get on stage, but also that I work better in a group than by myself….I found this experience pretty fun and entertaining but challenging at times.” (Stella)
“I learned that performing is nothing to be afraid and or nervous about.” (Rowan)
“I think it was an amazing experience. I like how the teaching artists took their time to help us plan the mock trial…. I liked how they were not coming up and telling us what to do. I thought Federico was very open-minded and grateful to be here with us.” (Darlyn)
“I learned that performing in front of an audience isn’t that scary. I used to feel really scared performing in front of an audience but now I don’t feel that scared anymore. It was really fun doing the mock trial.” (Carter)
“The Breaking Walls mock trial was a fun way to see how good my acting was. I got to spend time with my friends which was also fun. During the trial, I thought everybody was able to make the audience laugh easily. Everybody did a good job and everyone in my group build on each other’s ideas really well. I found out I’m not a leader, but tI was good at following the script and going off script as well. This activity allowed me to see everybody’s creativity visually which was nice.” (Annika)
“Once you’re performing, the nerves kind of go down because you know it will be over soon. I think my group did a good job at expressing the characters and how they would react….Overall, I thought the experience was fun. I laughed and got to practice my public speaking skills.” (Olivia Z.)
“I learned that when speaking to an audience, you don’t have to be afraid. I think Breaking Walls made me come out of my shell and not be afraid, and also made me laugh to get my nerves out. I would like to thank Breaking Walls for letting me do this opportunity, allowing me to come out of my shell.” (Eames-Simone)
